Learn Korean with K-pop Lyrics: Expressions from ‘나는 반딧불 (I Am a Firefly)’ by Hwang Garam
Learn Korean through K-pop with the slow, emotional song ‘나는 반딧불’ by Hwang Garam. Discover useful Korean expressions and grammar from the lyrics.
Looking for a fun and meaningful way to improve your Korean language skills? One of the best methods is learning through K-pop lyrics—especially slower songs with clear pronunciation and expressive phrases.
Today’s featured track, “나는 반딧불 (I Am a Firefly)” by Hwang Garam, is a beautifully emotional ballad. What makes it even more special is the story behind the singer. Hwang Garam made his solo debut back in January 2013 but remained largely under the radar for over a decade—including enduring hardship such as living on the streets for months—while working part-time jobs and supporting others as a vocal producer
In February 2025, at age 40, he appeared on the TV show You Quiz on the Block (유 퀴즈 온 더 블럭)—sharing his struggles and performing “나는 반딧불.” The heartfelt lyrics about thinking you’re a shining star, discovering you’re more like a firefly, yet choosing to shine nonetheless resonated both with his personal journey and with viewers nationwide
Not only is this song a pleasure to sing along with, but it’s also packed with useful grammar and expressions you can use in everyday conversations.
Let’s dive into six useful expressions from this song—perfect for anyone learning Korean, whether you’re self-studying or attending Korean classes here in Singapore.
💡 Expression 1: ~인 줄 알았어요 (-in jul arasseoyo)
Verse 1 나는 내가 빛나는 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a shining star 한 번도 의심한 적 없었죠 I never doubted it 몰랐어요 난 내가 벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a bug (firefly) 그래도 괜찮아 난 눈부시니까 It’s okay because I’m dazzling Verse 2 하늘에서 떨어진 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a star that fell from the sky 소원을 들어주는 작은 별 A little star that grants wishes 몰랐어요 난 내가 개똥벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a dung beetle
(firefly) 그래도 괜찮아 나는 빛날 테니까 It’s okay because I will shine Chorus (repeats Verse 1) 나는 내가 빛나는 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a shining star 한 번도 의심한 적 없었죠 I never doubted it 몰랐어요 난 내가 벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a bug 그래도 괜찮아 난 눈부시니까 It’s okay because I’m dazzling Bridge 한참 동안 찾았던 내 손톱 The fingernail I’d been searching
for so long 하늘로 올라가 초승달 돼 버렸지 It went up to the sky and became a crescent moon 주워 담을 수도 없게 너무 멀리 갔죠 It went too far to bring back 누가 저기 걸어놨어 누가 저기 걸어놨어 Who hung it there, who hung it
there 우주에서 무주에서 날아온 From space, flown from Muju 밤하늘의 별들이 반딧불이 돼 버렸지 The stars in the night sky turned
into fireflies 내가 널 만난 것처럼 마치 약속한 것처럼 As if I met you, as if it were
promised 나는 다시 태어났지 나는 다시 태어났지 I was reborn, I was reborn Chorus (repeat) 나는 내가 빛나는 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a shining star 한 번도 의심한 적 없었죠 I never doubted it 몰랐어요 난 내가 벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a bug 그래도 괜찮아 난 눈부시니까 It’s okay because I’m dazzling 하늘에서 떨어진 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a star that fell from the sky 소원을 들어주는 작은 별 A little star that grants wishes 몰랐어요 난 내가 개똥벌레란 것을 I didn’t know I was a firefly 그래도 괜찮아 나는 빛날 테니까 It’s okay because I will shine
🎵 Lyric: 나는 내가 빛나는 별인 줄 알았어요 — I thought I was a shining star
🧠 Keyword: 인 줄 알다 = to think [someone/something] is…
🔤 Grammar Point: This pattern expresses a mistaken assumption. Use noun + 인 줄 알다 to say “I thought it was…” or “I assumed it was…”
🗣️ Example Usage:
- 그 사람이 한국인인 줄 알았어요 — I thought he was Korean.
- 이게 진짜인 줄 알았어 — I thought this was real.
✨ Special Tip: Great for expressing changed beliefs or mistaken thoughts in conversation.
💡 Expression 2: 한 번도 ~적 없었죠 (han beon-do ~jeok eopseotjyo)
Verse 1 나는 내가 빛나는 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a shining star 한 번도 의심한 적 없었죠 I never doubted it 몰랐어요 난 내가 벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a bug (firefly) 그래도 괜찮아 난 눈부시니까 It’s okay because I’m dazzling Verse 2 하늘에서 떨어진 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a star that fell from the sky 소원을 들어주는 작은 별 A little star that grants wishes 몰랐어요 난 내가 개똥벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a dung beetle
(firefly) 그래도 괜찮아 나는 빛날 테니까 It’s okay because I will shine Chorus (repeats Verse 1) 나는 내가 빛나는 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a shining star 한 번도 의심한 적 없었죠 I never doubted it 몰랐어요 난 내가 벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a bug 그래도 괜찮아 난 눈부시니까 It’s okay because I’m dazzling Bridge 한참 동안 찾았던 내 손톱 The fingernail I’d been searching
for so long 하늘로 올라가 초승달 돼 버렸지 It went up to the sky and became a crescent moon 주워 담을 수도 없게 너무 멀리 갔죠 It went too far to bring back 누가 저기 걸어놨어 누가 저기 걸어놨어 Who hung it there, who hung it
there 우주에서 무주에서 날아온 From space, flown from Muju 밤하늘의 별들이 반딧불이 돼 버렸지 The stars in the night sky turned
into fireflies 내가 널 만난 것처럼 마치 약속한 것처럼 As if I met you, as if it were
promised 나는 다시 태어났지 나는 다시 태어났지 I was reborn, I was reborn Chorus (repeat) 나는 내가 빛나는 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a shining star 한 번도 의심한 적 없었죠 I never doubted it 몰랐어요 난 내가 벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a bug 그래도 괜찮아 난 눈부시니까 It’s okay because I’m dazzling 하늘에서 떨어진 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a star that fell from the sky 소원을 들어주는 작은 별 A little star that grants wishes 몰랐어요 난 내가 개똥벌레란 것을 I didn’t know I was a firefly 그래도 괜찮아 나는 빛날 테니까 It’s okay because I will shine
🎵 Lyric: 한 번도 의심한 적 없었죠 — I never doubted it.
🧠 Keyword: ~적 없다 = never had the experience of
🔤 Grammar Point: Use verb stem + -(으)ㄴ 적 없다 to talk about things you’ve never done or experienced.
🗣️ Example Usage:
- 나는 거짓말한 적 없어요 — I’ve never lied.
- 그 사람을 만난 적이 없어요 — I’ve never met that person.
✨ Special Tip: A natural way to express experience (or lack of it), especially when sharing memories or feelings.
💡 Expression 3: 그래도 괜찮아 (geuraedo gwaenchana)
Verse 1 나는 내가 빛나는 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a shining star 한 번도 의심한 적 없었죠 I never doubted it 몰랐어요 난 내가 벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a bug (firefly) 그래도 괜찮아 난 눈부시니까 It’s okay because I’m dazzling Verse 2 하늘에서 떨어진 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a star that fell from the sky 소원을 들어주는 작은 별 A little star that grants wishes 몰랐어요 난 내가 개똥벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a dung beetle
(firefly) 그래도 괜찮아 나는 빛날 테니까 It’s okay because I will shine Chorus (repeats Verse 1) 나는 내가 빛나는 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a shining star 한 번도 의심한 적 없었죠 I never doubted it 몰랐어요 난 내가 벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a bug 그래도 괜찮아 난 눈부시니까 It’s okay because I’m dazzling Bridge 한참 동안 찾았던 내 손톱 The fingernail I’d been searching
for so long 하늘로 올라가 초승달 돼 버렸지 It went up to the sky and became a crescent moon 주워 담을 수도 없게 너무 멀리 갔죠 It went too far to bring back 누가 저기 걸어놨어 누가 저기 걸어놨어 Who hung it there, who hung it
there 우주에서 무주에서 날아온 From space, flown from Muju 밤하늘의 별들이 반딧불이 돼 버렸지 The stars in the night sky turned
into fireflies 내가 널 만난 것처럼 마치 약속한 것처럼 As if I met you, as if it were
promised 나는 다시 태어났지 나는 다시 태어났지 I was reborn, I was reborn Chorus (repeat) 나는 내가 빛나는 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a shining star 한 번도 의심한 적 없었죠 I never doubted it 몰랐어요 난 내가 벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a bug 그래도 괜찮아 난 눈부시니까 It’s okay because I’m dazzling 하늘에서 떨어진 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a star that fell from the sky 소원을 들어주는 작은 별 A little star that grants wishes 몰랐어요 난 내가 개똥벌레란 것을 I didn’t know I was a firefly 그래도 괜찮아 나는 빛날 테니까 It’s okay because I will shine
🎵 Lyric: 그래도 괜찮아 난 눈부시니까 — It’s okay because I’m dazzling
🧠 Keyword: 그래도 = even so / nonetheless
🔤 Grammar Point: 그래도 is used when something isn’t ideal but you’re okay with it. It means “still” or “even though.”
🗣️ Example Usage:
- 비가 오지만 그래도 괜찮아 — It’s raining, but it’s still okay.
- 실수했어. 그래도 괜찮아 — I made a mistake. Still, it’s okay.
✨ Special Tip: This phrase brings emotional comfort in casual speech—perfect for encouraging others or self-talk.
💡 Expression 4: 다시 태어났지 (dasi taeeonatji)
Verse 1 나는 내가 빛나는 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a shining star 한 번도 의심한 적 없었죠 I never doubted it 몰랐어요 난 내가 벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a bug (firefly) 그래도 괜찮아 난 눈부시니까 It’s okay because I’m dazzling Verse 2 하늘에서 떨어진 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a star that fell from the sky 소원을 들어주는 작은 별 A little star that grants wishes 몰랐어요 난 내가 개똥벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a dung beetle
(firefly) 그래도 괜찮아 나는 빛날 테니까 It’s okay because I will shine Chorus (repeats Verse 1) 나는 내가 빛나는 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a shining star 한 번도 의심한 적 없었죠 I never doubted it 몰랐어요 난 내가 벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a bug 그래도 괜찮아 난 눈부시니까 It’s okay because I’m dazzling Bridge 한참 동안 찾았던 내 손톱 The fingernail I’d been searching
for so long 하늘로 올라가 초승달 돼 버렸지 It went up to the sky and became a crescent moon 주워 담을 수도 없게 너무 멀리 갔죠 It went too far to bring back 누가 저기 걸어놨어 누가 저기 걸어놨어 Who hung it there, who hung it
there 우주에서 무주에서 날아온 From space, flown from Muju 밤하늘의 별들이 반딧불이 돼 버렸지 The stars in the night sky turned
into fireflies 내가 널 만난 것처럼 마치 약속한 것처럼 As if I met you, as if it were
promised 나는 다시 태어났지 나는 다시 태어났지 I was reborn, I was reborn Chorus (repeat) 나는 내가 빛나는 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a shining star 한 번도 의심한 적 없었죠 I never doubted it 몰랐어요 난 내가 벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a bug 그래도 괜찮아 난 눈부시니까 It’s okay because I’m dazzling 하늘에서 떨어진 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a star that fell from the sky 소원을 들어주는 작은 별 A little star that grants wishes 몰랐어요 난 내가 개똥벌레란 것을 I didn’t know I was a firefly 그래도 괜찮아 나는 빛날 테니까 It’s okay because I will shine
🎵 Lyric: 나는 다시 태어났지 — I was reborn.
🧠 Keyword: 다시 = again, 태어나다 = to be born
🔤 Grammar Point: 다시 means again. Combine it with verbs to express doing something anew or repeating an action.
🗣️ Example Usage:
- 다시 시작할 거예요 — I’ll start again.
- 다시 만날 수 있을까? — Can we meet again?
✨ Special Tip: Common in dramatic or meaningful conversations, especially when talking about personal growth or second chances.
💡 Expression 5: ~처럼 (-cheoreom)
Verse 1 나는 내가 빛나는 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a shining star 한 번도 의심한 적 없었죠 I never doubted it 몰랐어요 난 내가 벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a bug (firefly) 그래도 괜찮아 난 눈부시니까 It’s okay because I’m dazzling Verse 2 하늘에서 떨어진 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a star that fell from the sky 소원을 들어주는 작은 별 A little star that grants wishes 몰랐어요 난 내가 개똥벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a dung beetle
(firefly) 그래도 괜찮아 나는 빛날 테니까 It’s okay because I will shine Chorus (repeats Verse 1) 나는 내가 빛나는 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a shining star 한 번도 의심한 적 없었죠 I never doubted it 몰랐어요 난 내가 벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a bug 그래도 괜찮아 난 눈부시니까 It’s okay because I’m dazzling Bridge 한참 동안 찾았던 내 손톱 The fingernail I’d been searching
for so long 하늘로 올라가 초승달 돼 버렸지 It went up to the sky and became a crescent moon 주워 담을 수도 없게 너무 멀리 갔죠 It went too far to bring back 누가 저기 걸어놨어 누가 저기 걸어놨어 Who hung it there, who hung it
there 우주에서 무주에서 날아온 From space, flown from Muju 밤하늘의 별들이 반딧불이 돼 버렸지 The stars in the night sky turned
into fireflies 내가 널 만난 것처럼 마치 약속한 것처럼 As if I met you, as if it were
promised 나는 다시 태어났지 나는 다시 태어났지 I was reborn, I was reborn Chorus (repeat) 나는 내가 빛나는 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a shining star 한 번도 의심한 적 없었죠 I never doubted it 몰랐어요 난 내가 벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a bug 그래도 괜찮아 난 눈부시니까 It’s okay because I’m dazzling 하늘에서 떨어진 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a star that fell from the sky 소원을 들어주는 작은 별 A little star that grants wishes 몰랐어요 난 내가 개똥벌레란 것을 I didn’t know I was a firefly 그래도 괜찮아 나는 빛날 테니까 It’s okay because I will shine
🎵 Lyric: 내가 널 만난 것처럼 — As if I met you
🧠 Keyword: 처럼 = like / as if
🔤 Grammar Point: Use 처럼 after a noun or verb + -(으)ㄴ 것 to make comparisons or hypothetical feelings.
🗣️ Example Usage:
- 꿈처럼 느껴졌어 — It felt like a dream.
- 영화처럼 아름다웠어 — It was beautiful like a movie.
✨ Special Tip: A poetic and emotional particle, often used in songs, writing, and romantic expressions.
💡 Expression 6: 주워 담을 수 없다 (juswo dameul su eopda)
Verse 1 나는 내가 빛나는 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a shining star 한 번도 의심한 적 없었죠 I never doubted it 몰랐어요 난 내가 벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a bug (firefly) 그래도 괜찮아 난 눈부시니까 It’s okay because I’m dazzling Verse 2 하늘에서 떨어진 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a star that fell from the sky 소원을 들어주는 작은 별 A little star that grants wishes 몰랐어요 난 내가 개똥벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a dung beetle
(firefly) 그래도 괜찮아 나는 빛날 테니까 It’s okay because I will shine Chorus (repeats Verse 1) 나는 내가 빛나는 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a shining star 한 번도 의심한 적 없었죠 I never doubted it 몰랐어요 난 내가 벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a bug 그래도 괜찮아 난 눈부시니까 It’s okay because I’m dazzling Bridge 한참 동안 찾았던 내 손톱 The fingernail I’d been searching
for so long 하늘로 올라가 초승달 돼 버렸지 It went up to the sky and became a crescent moon 주워 담을 수도 없게 너무 멀리 갔죠 It went too far to bring back 누가 저기 걸어놨어 누가 저기 걸어놨어 Who hung it there, who hung it
there 우주에서 무주에서 날아온 From space, flown from Muju 밤하늘의 별들이 반딧불이 돼 버렸지 The stars in the night sky turned
into fireflies 내가 널 만난 것처럼 마치 약속한 것처럼 As if I met you, as if it were
promised 나는 다시 태어났지 나는 다시 태어났지 I was reborn, I was reborn Chorus (repeat) 나는 내가 빛나는 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a shining star 한 번도 의심한 적 없었죠 I never doubted it 몰랐어요 난 내가 벌레라는 것을 I didn’t know I was a bug 그래도 괜찮아 난 눈부시니까 It’s okay because I’m dazzling 하늘에서 떨어진 별인 줄 알았어요 I thought I was a star that fell from the sky 소원을 들어주는 작은 별 A little star that grants wishes 몰랐어요 난 내가 개똥벌레란 것을 I didn’t know I was a firefly 그래도 괜찮아 나는 빛날 테니까 It’s okay because I will shine
🎵 Lyric: 주워 담을 수도 없게 너무 멀리 갔죠 — It went too far to bring back
🧠 Keyword: 주워 담다 = to pick up and put back (into something)
🔤 Grammar Point: A unique verb expression: 주워 담다 means "to pick up" (as in spilled things, emotions, or words). Often used metaphorically.
🗣️ Example Usage:
- 이미 말했으니 주워 담을 수 없어 — I already said it, I can’t take it back.
- 감정은 한번 나오면 주워 담기 어려워요 — Once emotions come out, it’s hard to take them back.
✨ Special Tip: A vivid, emotional way to express regret or irreversible moments.
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These expressions show how rich and expressive the Korean language can be. Whether you're self-studying or attending Korean classes in Singapore, music-based learning can make your experience more enjoyable and effective.
At ONLYOU Korean Language School, our experienced teachers guide you with structured lessons, real-life expressions, and engaging cultural content to support your Korean learning journey.